Sometimes, a film slips under the radar only to find its moment later on, igniting a wave of fresh attention and admiration. This is precisely the case for Dinner in America, a rebellious indie film that didn’t make a huge splash upon its 2020 film festival release but is now gaining renewed love and acclaim. With its blend of edgy punk rock vibes, offbeat romance, and dark humor, Dinner in America has secured its place as a cult favorite, resonating with audiences and critics alike and spurring a new wave of interest. Here’s a look at what makes this film so compelling and why it’s having a resurgence.
Written and directed by Adam Rehmeier, Dinner in America tells the story of Simon (Kyle Gallner), a pyromaniac punk rocker on the run, who crosses paths with Patty (Emily Skeggs), a socially awkward but endearing young woman who becomes his unlikely ally. Set against the gritty backdrop of suburban Michigan, the film pulls viewers into a subversive, chaotic world that bucks typical coming-of-age narratives.
From the soundtrack packed with punk rock songs to the totally unfiltered dialogue, this film doesn’t try to fit into a neat little box. It’s loud, raw, and not the least bit polished, which is a big part of why people love it. The characters feel messy and real, not the kind of folks you’d see in a typical rom-com.
“I think one of the things that makes the film so special is that it’s a romantic comedy about unhinged characters, it’s something I’ve never seen before,” says Sally Burty. “I also love how it included punk elements which I never really see on TV. The screening I went to had a Q&A with the director and I found out a lot of the extras for Simon’s gig were real local individuals who are a part of the punk community. I would definitely recommend it to my friends. It’s such a fun watch.”
Since the movie was revealed at the peak of the pandemic, it did not receive the full support any usual film would get. Streaming platforms and social media have played a huge role in its resurgence. When the movie officially came out in 2022, it had a limited release, so the majority of people missed it the first time around. Now it’s getting a second chance and fans are discovering, sharing, and passing it along.
“Seeing the film on the big screen felt like such a unique experience especially since it had previously never been shown at theaters near me,” says Burty. “I also got to meet the actress who portrayed Patty and that was pretty cool,”
An original song made for the film, “Watermelon”, written by Emily Skeggs (Patty) and writer/director Adam Rehmeier has gained a significant amount of popularity due to the social media platform TikTok. Alongside the popularity from the song came a new wave of fans discovering the film. New fans saw themselves in the characters Patty and Simon, sometimes feeling like outsiders and finding it too hard to fit in. The sudden gain in popularity was surprising for both the actors and the director.
Burty also said, “I’m usually a big gatekeeper but this is one of the only films I don’t mind trending. It deserves all the attention it’s receiving.”
New fans and a sudden gain in popularity led independent movie theaters, such as the Frida Cinema, to host showings of Dinner In America, some of the shows being extra special as part of the cast showed up to thank fans for the sudden support of the film years after the release. Even if many fans couldn’t snag tickets to special showings at the Frida, the film is currently on the streaming service Hulu.
The resurgence of Dinner in America highlights its lasting impact as a cult favorite, celebrated for its unapologetic storytelling and punk rock spirit. Audiences are rediscovering its raw, rebellious take on love and individuality, finding fresh relevance in its message about embracing one’s true self. This renewed attention affirms that Dinner in America isn’t just a film—it’s a statement, one that resonates as powerfully today as it did on its release.
